Keralam to Introduce New Sports Bill, Focus on Athletes and Professional Management

Keralam is preparing to overhaul its existing sports laws and introduce a comprehensive, athlete-centric legislation aimed at making the state's sports sector more professional and improving support for sportspersons, Sports Minister O J Janeesh has said.

The proposed bill seeks to address administrative gaps arising from the separate functioning of the State Sports Council and the Sports Directorate, with the government looking to improve coordination and streamline the management of sports activities across the state.

Speaking at a function in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, where cash awards were distributed to medal-winning sportspersons, Janeesh said the government had significantly increased financial incentives for athletes, particularly those winning medals at the Asian Games.

The cash reward for Asian Games gold medallists has been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh, while silver and bronze medallists will receive ₹20 lakh and ₹10 lakh, respectively. Coaches will be awarded ₹5 lakh, while sportspersons participating in the competitions will receive ₹1 lakh each as travel assistance.

In a significant step towards inclusivity, athletes competing in the para category at the Asian Games will receive financial incentives on a par with those in the general category.

The government is also preparing proposals to increase training allowances and travel assistance. It has begun clearing pending cash awards that had remained unpaid for nearly seven years, the minister said.

At Thursday's function, a total of 900 sportspersons received cash awards worth ₹1.5 crore, with the money being transferred directly to their bank accounts. The government is also taking steps to ensure that awards for subsequent years are disbursed at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister C P John, who presided over the programme, said the government would revive sports teams in the Keralam State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). The corporation had previously fielded strong volleyball and football teams, and the revival plan aims to restore its sporting legacy.